13 Famous Faces Who Have Won an Emmy Award

Television’s top honor isn’t just for those acting, it’s a surprise to many just how wide the Emmy Awards cast their net. From pop stars to culinary geniuses, some of the most celebrated personalities in film, music, and even the kitchen have been recognized by the small screen’s highest accolade. Read on for a star-studded roundup of famous faces you might never expect to have an Emmy on the mantel.

Justin Timberlake

Known as pop music royalty, Justin Timberlake has showcased his comedic chops on Saturday Night Live. His memorable musical sketches and guest appearances have not only made audiences laugh but earned him an Emmy, proving he’s as at home on a TV stage as he is headlining a concert. Timberlake has won a total of 4 Emmy awards, all from his appearances on the iconic show, per the Television Academy.

Jamie Oliver

Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver is famed for revolutionizing home cooking, but his Emmy win came through compelling food-focused television series about transforming eating habits. His signature charm and passion resonated with audiences and Emmy voters. Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution specifically beat out competition like Mythbusters and Antiques Roadshow to claim the Outstanding Reality Program prize, according to Food Safety News.

Martin Scorsese

Film directing icon Martin Scorsese took his artistic brilliance to television, directing critically acclaimed series and specials that brought him an Emmy. His cinematic touch on the small screen has been recognized by peers and fans alike. Scorsese earned his first Emmy in 2011 for directing Boardwalk Empire, then added two more the following year for George Harrison: Living in the Material World, as reported by the Television Academy.

Zach Galifianakis

Comedian Zach Galifianakis is famous for his offbeat humor, but his Emmy came thanks to the viral talk show spoof Between Two Ferns. He won the award for Outstanding Short-Format Live-Action Entertainment Program in 2014 and 2015, according to IMDb.

John Legend

Singer-songwriter John Legend made history as one of the few to achieve EGOT status: Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony. His 2018 Emmy win came for producing Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert, cementing him as a powerhouse across entertainment platforms, per Billboard.

Barack Obama

Since leaving the White House, former President Barack Obama has added another impressive achievement to his résumé by becoming a multiple Emmy winner. He has earned three Primetime Emmy Awards in the Outstanding Narrator category for lending his voice to the documentary series Our Great National Parks in 2022, Working: What We Do All Day in 2023, and Our Oceans in 2025, per the Television Academy.

Brad Pitt

Hollywood heartthrob Brad Pitt might be best known for blockbuster films, but he has also won two Emmy awards. Both victories came as a producer, with the first in 2014 when The Normal Heart won Outstanding Television Movie, and the second in 2025 after Adolescence took home the award for Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series, according to the Television Academy.

Kenny Ortega

Choreographer and filmmaker Kenny Ortega rose to television fame thanks to infectious musical series that captured the hearts of viewers of all ages. His Emmy win crowned decades spent shaping pop culture with music and dance. Beyond his High School Musical trophy, Ortega also picked up directing and choreography honors for staging the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics, as reported by the Television Academy.

Billy Crystal

Billy Crystal‘s enduring comic brilliance has lit up TV over decades. His Emmy résumé includes five wins for his work on the Academy Awards broadcasts, along with a 1990 victory for writing Billy Crystal: Midnight Train to Moscow, per the Television Academy.

Sharon Stone

Known for her magnetic movie roles, Sharon Stone stunned viewers with her TV guest appearances and dramatic performances. Her lone Emmy win came in 2004 for stealing the spotlight as guest star Sheila Carlisle on The Practice, as reported by Gold Derby.

Jay-Z

Hip-hop legend Jay-Z doesn’t just dominate the music charts; his recent ventures into television, particularly with innovative music specials, have earned him an Emmy. In 2023, he won a Primetime Emmy alongside Hamish Hamilton for directing Rihanna’s Super Bowl Halftime Show, according to Rolling Stone. Jay-Z previously took home a Sports Emmy in 2011 for “Run This Town” live at Super Bowl XLIV, per the outlet.

Taylor Swift

Music superstar Taylor Swift‘s storytelling isn’t limited to chart-topping albums, her 360 degree music video experience scored her an Emmy win. Her very first statue arrived back in 2015 after her AMEX Unstaged: Taylor Swift Experience won Outstanding Creative Achievement In Interactive Media – Original Interactive Program, per the Television Academy.

Lin-Manuel Miranda

Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda took the television world by storm with imaginative live performances and legendary musical specials. His two Emmy wins include a 2014 award for Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics for co-writing “Bigger!” alongside Tom Kitt, followed by a 2021 Emmy as a producer of Hamilton, which won Outstanding Variety Special (Pre-Recorded), according to New York Theatre Guide.